I have only found the one reference to this establishment at present and
that was in the Licensing Records of 1872. The records stated that the
premises held a Full License and was owned by the London, Chatham and Dover
Railway Company, Victoria. It was probably situated inside the station as
their waiting rooms.

Maidstone Journal and Kentish Advertiser, Tuesday 22 November 1853.

George Smith was charged with stealing to £5 Bank of England notes.

The prisoner was apprehended by superintending-constable Everest, at
the "Railway Saloon," Chatham, on Monday afternoon.

Remanded till Friday, to enable Everest to trace the owner of the
note.

George Smith, who was remanded on Wednesday, on a charge of
stealing to £5 Bank of England notes, was again placed at the bar.
After the examination on Wednesday it was ascertained that the notes
were not genuine, and he, therefore, stood charged today with having
two forged notes in his possession.

Daniel Barnard, landlord of the "Railway Saloon," Chatham, stated
that on Wednesday evening last, the prisoner came to his bar, and
had four penny worth of gin. Whilst he was drinking it, the prisoner
looked round him, and said he wanted to speak with him having been
recommended to him. He added that he had two £5 notes for sale, for
which he wanted £9. He said, "It is the gift of a sovereign to you,
for they are Bank of England notes." Witness said he not got the
money downstairs, but he must come again in half an hour's time. The
prisoner said he had not got the notes with him, but would not be
long in getting them. He then left, and witness sent a constable for
superintending-constable Everest. In about 20 minutes after he had
arrived the prisoner came again to the bar. Witness asked him for
notes and, after some hesitation, he handed them to him, saying,
"I'll sling them to you, one at a time." Witness then took them up
and put them into his waistcoat pocket, and made a signal to Everest
that have got them. Everest then, after a few questions took the
prisoner into custody.

Superintending-constable Everest, confirmed the latter part of
the above evidence. The prisoner said to him, "Old fellow you've got
the best job you ever had." He asked him where he has got the notes
from. He said. "That's your business, find it out." When before the
magistrates on Wednesday, he was charged with stealing the notes,
and said he had picked them up on London Bridge.

Witness had known the prisoner working on the railway at
Greenhithe, 6 or 7 years ago.

James Barton, of Greenwich, said he was one of the inspectors of
the Bank of England. Both the notes produced were forgeries - of the
same character as all the forged notes of the present day, the
numbers of which were nearly the same. There was no watermark to
them.

Mr. Everest then applied for a remand you next Friday.

The prisoner said he had no objection. He could only repeat that
he had found the notes on London Bridge, with 4 shillings and 4
pence in cash.

He was then remanded.

LICENSEE LIST

SPIERS Felix William 1872+

ROWE Thomas Henry Feb/1939+

Licensing
Records 1872

Chatham
News

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the
above licensed premises, please email:-